Green collar jobs are a science and an art

A windmill near Goderich, Ontario in a file photo.

Photograph by: Tyler Brownbridge
, Windsor Star

There's not always a straight line to reaching the senior ranks of a green career. These days you might need to pick up a variety of skills along the way.

Just ask Andy Schonberger, the director of Earth Rangers Centre for Sustainable Technology in Woodbridge, Ont. Going through high school, he knew he wanted to be an engineer, he says.

"But I was always raised with that green bug at home," he explains. "We used to clean out and reuse plastic bags. We were raised to not waste things."

When he studied engineering at McMaster, he wanted to shoot for an environmental career. But he found that the green collar jobs didn't come so easily once he graduated. "I found that to get into green tech, I needed some business skills."

Schonberger decided to enter the business and sustainability stream at the Schulich School of Business at York University, where he was able to develop his management skills. "They were typical MBA courses, but with a green angle," he explains.

Even with that, he knew that competition for green collar positions was going to be tight. "I started networking wherever I could, volunteered with the Canada Green Building Council, worked as an energy auditor part time, and wrote my LEED accreditation exam, so I had something on my resume."

When Earth Rangers needed a director, Schonberger's combination of engineering, business and on-the-job skills put him at the top of the recruitment list. "I can't think of a better place to be than with an organization that is leading edge in environmental sustainability."

Even though Michelle Chislett had a successful career in electrical engineering for the telecom market, she also returned to get her MBA so she could get a foothold in a renewable technology career. "I liked my communications job, but I didn't feel I was having an impact."

Now vice president of solar development for International Power Canada Inc. in Toronto, she realized from the outset that technical expertise needed to be balanced with business acumen in order to get a job she loved. "I discovered that the business side was equally as important as the technical side in the green collar job space, especially since policy plays such a big part in what we do."

As a renewable energy executive and spokesperson, she spends a great deal of time speaking to community members, municipal councils and staff. "A lot of that relies on having effective communications and marketing skills," she says.

Since entering the renewable energy development field Chislett says she has been on "quite a trajectory. I'm wearing a lot of hats, from environmental approvals to stakeholder consultations to technology procurement, engineering and design. It's nice to have a technical grounding. But if I was just an engineer, I don't think I would have been prepared for the job I have now."

"The reality is, the likelihood of someone getting into this type of career is heightened if they bring an engineering or technology background," says Joseph Palumbo, executive director, Career Development Centre at Schulich. "A business and sustainability-focused MBA solidifies their business skills so they can be effective consultants or managers in the field."

The MBA program takes 16 months. During that time, students take eight core courses, where they get a grounding in finance, marketing, and change management. They can then pursue their area of specialization, which includes a major strategic field study with a company.

While the business and sustainability stream attracts many sorts of individuals, Palumbo says it's a perfect fit for people with scientific training. "They bring a logical, analytical and rational way of thinking to the projects."

Adding the business skills puts these people in an enviable position in the green career spectrum, he adds. "A lot of organizations are interested in people with that type of background, from industrial operations and supply chain, to non-profit, government and financial services."

For Schonberger, having this type of career means much more than just a paycheque. "I have a four-year-old and another on the way. I want to be able to look them in the eye and say I'm doing something for their future."

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.